Careless and Imprudent Driving in Missouri

Just like in other states, Missouri laws require individuals operating motor vehicles or any automobiles on the roadways to do so in compliance with the existing traffic laws. The state of Missouri has a specific careless and imprudent driving statute which obligates persons driving on roads and highways to exercise the highest degree of care and drive at a rate of speed which does not endanger other people or other people’s property.  Under Section 340.170, an individual who operates a vehicle or automobile in defiance of these provisions commits the offense of careless and imprudent driving, and he or she is cited for a misdemeanor or felony depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the offense. Missouri has a fairly open careless and imprudent driving statute hence it is open for interpretation by the responding officer.

Examples of careless and imprudent driving in Missouri

Some driver’s actions that can be considered careless and imprudent driving include: excessive speeding, road rage, racing, distracted driving, texting while driving, passing on a hill crossing a flood barrier, performing stunts on a public road and many more.  These offenses are considered more serious violations than ordinary tickets especially when they result in occurrence of an accident or death.

Penalties for Careless an Imprudent Driving in Missouri

Violation of provisions of the careless and imprudent driving statute in Missouri comes with different penalties depending on the offense committed and several other factors. An offense relating to failure to exercise highest degree of care is classified as a class B misdemeanor punishable by incarceration of up to six months with a fine not exceeding $1000.

A person who is found guilty of careless and imprudent driving involving an accident is charged under a class A misdemeanor that carries a maximum of one year in jail and $1,000 in fines or probation.   In addition, if a C&I ticket is issued by a Missouri state trooper and the case is prosecuted under a circuit court, the driver will have 4 points added to their driving record but if the ticket is given by a city law enforcement officer under a municipal court, the driver will have 2 points added to their driving record.

While careless and imprudent driving is considered a misdemeanor, the offense can be elevated to a felony if the offense results in significant property damage, serious physical injury to another person, or death. A felony is punishable differently from misdemeanors and is considered a more serious charge with stiffer penalties.   

Persons found guilty of careless and imprudent driving in Missouri will have the ticket remain on their driving record for three years.  For commercial drivers, it will remain on their driving record for 4 years. A C&I ticket remains on the driver’s record for 5 years if the committed offense prompted suspension of their driver’s license. In some cases, a C&I ticket can stay on driver’s driving record permanently.

In some situations, a driver can be issued with a careless and imprudent ticket and another traffic ticket at the same time. For instance, if a driver fails to stop at a stop sign and he or she is driving at a rate of speed above the limit, the driver can be given a C&I ticket and a speeding ticket. Tickets issued in conjunction carry more demerit points on one’s driving record depending the jurisdiction that issues the tickets. 

The offense of careless and imprudent driving in Missouri can still result in loss of employment, loss of driving privileges, and increased insurance premiums.  A criminal case relating to careless and imprudent driving can be resolved with a plea bargain with the prosecution and have the charges reduced to lesser charges if the court is sufficiently convinced

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